Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 14, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received a letter from the US Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken. In his letter, Mr. Blinken expresses delight over his discussions with President Nechirvan Barzani on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last February. Secretary Blinken says that the discussions in Munich were an opportunity to underscore the need to completely resolve the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad through dialogue and understanding.

Also in the letter, the US Secretary of State reiterates the United States commitment to strong cooperation and partnership with the federal Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and expresses his country’s continued solid support for Iraq’s stability, security and sovereignty.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-received-a-letter-from-the-us-secretary-of-state/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 11, 2023

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani issued a statement on the anniversary of the March 11, 1970 Agreement, a historic declaration of autonomy for the Kurdistan Region within Iraq.

Below is the full statement:

Today, we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the March 11, 1970 Agreement of the September Revolution led by the late Mustafa Barzani, with the Iraqi government. We salute the souls of all martyrs and heroes of Kurdistan who took part in the great September Revolution.

The March 11 Agreement was a crucial victory and the most important official document that recognized some of the rights of the people of Kurdistan and conveyed their just cause to the world. It became the main basis of all the subsequent achievements of the people of Kurdistan, including the uprising, the establishment of the parliament, government and federalism.

The March 11 agreement was an exemplary solution that could have led Iraq and its people to a brighter future; it could have helped Iraq to become one of the most developed countries in the entire region and the world. But the withdrawal of the Iraqi authorities from the agreement and resorting to the logic of power instead of the power of logic, brought nothing more to Iraq than war, suffering, regression and waste of the wealth of the nation. Iraq continues to pay the price for that mistake up to the present time.

On this occasion, I call on all Iraqi and Kurdistani groups and parties to learn from this history and from the mistakes of the past; and to use Iraq’s material and human resources for the development of the country and the welfare of its citizens. Let us work together to protect the rights of all Iraqi communities, to safeguard the federal system, sovereignty, peace and stability of the country. Let us all work together to build a prosperous, and strong country and a better future through mutual acceptance, tolerance, coexistence, unity and solidarity.

We salute the memory of the March 11, 1970 Agreement.

Tributes to the souls of our martyrs.

Nechirvan Barzani
The President of the Kurdistan Region

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzanis-statement-on-the-53rd-anniversary-of-the-march-11-agreement/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 9, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening at the official invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In a friendly meeting, the two leaders discussed the relations of Iraq and especially the Kurdistan Region with the UAE, the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, Erbil-Baghdad relations, areas of joint cooperation and also the developments in the wider region.

Both sides emphasized the strengthening of bilateral relations in all areas, and discussed investment opportunities for UAE private sector and expanding trade exchanges of the UAE with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Regarding the talks between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government, both sides agreed that the resolution of the Erbil-Baghdad issues will help establish political and economic stability in Iraq and will open up broader prospects for progress.

Both sides discussed the current challenges in the region and the world including climate change and measures to face its ramifications, the threat of terrorism and ways to confront it. Discussions also covered other issues including education, water and health.

The two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in the region and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation among all parties to maintain peace and stability and to resolve conflicts.

The meeting also discussed the relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with neighboring countries and other issues of common interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-president-mohammed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 8, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Faiq Zedan, the President of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council in Erbil today.

The meeting discussed the importance of the judiciary and the courts for the country and it’s stability. The two sides agreed on the significance of implementing the program of the federal government which was agreed upon by all parties and communities.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani thanked the President of the Judicial Council for their role and duty in working together to ensure the rule of law and to serve all Iraqi citizens and communities.

Mr. Zedan thanked President Nechirvan Barzani for his efforts to consolidate tolerance and deepen the spirit of unity in Iraq.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-receives-the-president-of-the-supreme-judicial-council-of-iraq/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 8, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received a delegation of the European Parliament led by Ms. Sara Skyttedal.

In the meeting, the two sides discussed the development of cooperation between the EU Parliament and the Kurdistan Regional Parliament, and exchanged views on the bilateral relations between the European Union and the Kurdistan Region.

The delegation expressed their appreciation for the role of the Peshmerga in defeating ISIS and consolidating peace, stability and progress in the Kurdistan Region. The delegation underlined that the stability of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq is important for the stability of the wider region and the European Union. They also stressed the importance of preserving Iraq’s security and sovereignty from threats.

For his part, President Nechirvan Barzani thanked the European Union for its support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s readiness to further promote relations with the European Union, and to have the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of the EU countries.

The meeting also discussed the latest developments in the wider region and other issues of common interest.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-a-delegation-from-the-european-union/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 8, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani met with Ms. Audrey Azoulay the Director-General of UNESCO, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in Erbil on Wednesday. They discussed UNESCO’s activities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and highlighted the places in the Kurdistan Region that host historical and ancient monuments.

The project to repair the old Erbil Citadel was also discussed at the meeting, in which Ms. Azoulay pointed out the status of the project and expressed her appreciation to the relevant parties in the Kurdistan Region for their assistance and coordination.

For his part, the President praised the work and activities of UNESCO in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and reaffirmed the support of the relevant parties in the Kurdistan Region for their projects.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 8, 2023

President Nechirvan Barzani received Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Annalena Baerbock in Erbil on Wednesday.

In the meeting, the President expressed gratitude for Germany’s military, humanitarian and political assistance to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, stressing that terrorism continues to pose a real threat to the country, and underlining the importance of the continued support from Germany and the international community to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

For her part, Ms. Baerbock emphasized that Germany attaches great importance to its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and the political and economic peace and stability in the country. She stressed the significance of implementing the agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government on the status of Sinjar, which will lead to the return of refugees and the reconstruction of the region.

Discussions also highlighted the ongoing talks between Erbil and Baghdad. President Nechirvan Barzani pointed to a positive atmosphere between the two sides to resolve the existing issues, and also pointed to the strong coordination between Iraqi army and the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS.

The meeting also discussed the relations between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region with neighboring countries, the situation of the refugees in the Kurdistan Region, the status of Sinjar district. The President thanked Germany for its support and assistance to the Yezidis and for the German Parliament’s recognition of the genocide against them.

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-meets-with-foreign-minister-of-germany/

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, March 7, 2023

Shortly after their meeting, President Nechirvan Barzani and US Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin, held a press conference about the contents of their discussions. The following is a readout of their joint press conference.

President Nechirvan Barzani:

“Good afternoon,

“I am very pleased to welcome here today Mr. Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defense, a longtime friend of the people of Kurdistan and Iraq. His visit is an important and clear message of US support for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

“We had a good meeting. We discussed the bilateral relations between the two sides on the basis of the agreement between Iraq and the United States, and we emphasized the need for continued support of the United States and the international allies to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the fight against terrorism. We also discussed the importance of cooperation between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army to fight ISIS.

“We stressed the importance of continued support from the United States and the friendly countries to the reform process in the Ministry of Peshmerga and the reorganization of the Peshmerga. We assured them that we insist on reorganizing the Peshmerga and overcoming the obstacles. We will also continue our efforts to bring together, and to resolve the internal problems of the Kurdistan Region.

“We agreed that the resolution of Erbil-Baghdad issues will bring political, security and economic stability to Iraq. We agreed on the importance of supporting the Iraqi Federal Government and working together in the region to maintain stability. We also reiterated that the Kurdistan Region will always be a factor of peace and stability.

“Mr. Secretary,

“Welcome to Erbil again; we thank you for your special role in helping the Peshmerga. We thank the United States for its continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Shared interests and values bring us together with the United States. Together we can maintain peace and stability in Iraq and preserve our common interests.

“Thank you very much for coming, have a nice day.”

US Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin:

“Mr. President, it’s been great to see you today. And it’s great to be back in Erbil. For decades, we have worked shoulder to shoulder, including through some very difficult times… from Operation Provide Comfort to
our ongoing and shared fight against Daesh. Working together, the United States and Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, have taken great strides to restore Iraqi sovereignty.

“Through the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, we have liberated more than 50,000 square kilometers from the nightmare of Daesh… and freed more than 4.5 million Iraqis. So let me applaud the invaluable contributions to this fight made by the Kurdish Peshmerga, as part of Iraq’s Security Forces. Now, I should underscore that U.S. forces are ready to remain in Iraq—at the invitation of the Government of Iraq—to support the Iraqi-led fight against Daesh. And we’re glad to be able to support your forces and defend the Iraqi people.

“I also want to express my support for the Memorandum of Understanding that the Department of Defense signed last year with your Ministry of Peshmerga. That memorandum affirms our readiness to continue providing security assistance to your forces while we work together on institutional reforms. Daesh continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of Iraq’s citizens. So our continued cooperation is essential. And so is the Kurdish Peshmerga’s coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces, including on Joint Brigades. Unfortunately, Daesh is not the only threat that this region faces. The United States condemns the repeated cross-border attacks from Iran. These attacks violate Iraqi sovereignty, put Iraqi lives in danger, and hold the Iraqi people back.

“The United States will continue to stand with the people of Iraq. For the country of Iraq to realize its full potential, Erbil and Baghdad must work together for the good of all Iraqis. And Kurdish leaders must put aside their divisions and come together to build a secure and prosperous Iraqi Kurdistan region. Mr. President, thanks again to you and your team for having me. And thanks for such a good discussion today. We look forward to strengthening our partnership even further.”

https://presidency.gov.krd/en/president-nechirvan-barzani-shared-interests-and-values-bring-the-us-and-the-kurdistan-region-together/